ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the fourth type of item format: True-false items. True-false items are sometimes also known as alternative-choice or binary-choice items since they always appear with two possible answers. Although most of us have seen the true-false variation, there are several other variations that are used less commonly. The chapter discusses the advantages and limitations of the true-false format. For example, this format is very popular because the items are relatively easy to develop. However, with only two alternatives, the effects of guessing could play a significant role in lowering the reliability of tests using this format. The chapter looks at the characteristics of good true-false items, and provides several opportunities to critique items. It also looks at a number of other variations of the true-false format. Since true-false items are so easy to develop and so easy to score, we might suspect that those advantages come with some limitations.
